All posts by Tamas Toth

The conflict between natural building materials and modern regulation: how to preserve tradition in the shadow of bureaucracy?

Those who would be able to build a home by custom-building, or in the age-old folk tradition of building in a kalaka* (mutual house building by a community), and who are financially able to do so by incorporating natural materials that are cheap but environmentally friendly and energy-saving, face bureaucratic obstacles. As a result, they are forced to resort to more expensive prefabricated industrial solutions, even if they could, because of their practicality, create their own housing.

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Balaton-Highlands-style thatched half-timbered house – inspiration picture (if you open the article you will find more fairytale houses!)

On the one hand, the bureaucratisation of construction is completely understandable, I believe that this is the way construction and housing security is supposed to be demanded, but on the other hand, if one can experience the bureaucracy of a prosperous country, i.e. as a way to imagine belonging to some developed country, whereas in contrast, for a good part of the population of such a country, it is an undue financial burden, or decades of indebtedness, in exchange for this construction security.

In the old days, people (family and friends) used to build each other’s houses, and the practice of building was passed down from father to son, using simple natural knowledge. True, with much less modern (but more natural) materials, with more puritan living conditions, but more environmentally friendly. Now, with advances in technology and bureaucracy, all this popular knowledge is disappearing. Whereas even in the 1980s it was quite natural to build a family house with a kalak, now those who dare to do so – are slowly becoming some kind of exotic caveman, admired by the people of the internet.

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What can we expect from the future of straw-based construction products?

This is a Balaton Highland-style thatched semi-timbered house, but the masonry could be straw, as it could be hidden under the moulded façade design.

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Natural insulating materials, such as straw shavings or straw bales, have fundamentally excellent thermal insulation properties, but there are several barriers to their widespread use:

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Straw bales and straw chips, can they be a modern insulation solution?

In explaining the advantages and disadvantages of cellulose insulation, the idea was raised that if the thermal insulation properties of blown cellulose insulation are provided by the cellulose structure itself, then cellulose straw has equally good properties.

With the growing demand for sustainable building solutions, alternative materials are gaining more and more attention. Straw insulation and straw bale construction technology both promise environmentally friendly and economical solutions, especially in agricultural areas where straw production is in surplus. This article shows how straw chips and straw bales can be used as thermal insulation and highlights the benefits and challenges of the technology.

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Advantages and disadvantages of cellulose insulation

Insulation plays a key role in the energy efficiency, comfort and sustainability of our homes. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on cellulose-based insulation materials as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional insulation. But is it still a good choice? In this article we look at the pros and cons of cellulose insulation to help you make your decision.

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What is cellulose insulation?

The main raw material for cellulose insulation is recycled paper, which is treated with special flame retardants, usually borate* or boric acid*. Its consistency can be in the form of loose fill, which is applied by blow moulding, or it can be available in the form of hard pressed slabs.

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Green hydrogen instead of green methane! The natural gas infrastructure is ready and the European Union should not ban gas boilers.

Many write that hydrogen is the energy of the future. The electricity produced by solar panels is used to break down water to produce hydrogen. Now this is where the two concepts of ENERGY PRODUCER and ENERGY CARRIER become separated. Because this hydrogen is just an energy carrier, but it is not the energy source. OK – you could say that the sun is the source of all energy, but you’d still be wrong if you said it’s the solar panel system, or the electricity it generates. So in fact green electricity is the energy of the future, green hydrogen is just an energy storage or intermediate device, a temporary energy carrier where we cannot use green electricity.

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(Some abstract artwork about energy – I just put it here because it looks good.)

What’s wrong with this?

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Scandinavian elegance combined with modern design: a stunning open-plan home

The art of modern interior design is often in the details, and this stunning interior is a perfect example of how different styles can be harmoniously blended into a coherent and attractive living space. Scandinavian minimalism meets contemporary design elements to create a home that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

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A bohemian feel with a modern twist: Beat and hippie style in the 21st century

It’s an interior combining modern hippy-bohemian and beat-bohemian styles at first glance, but with a few different features that reinforce the 21st century bohemian line. The interior is an interesting mix of past and present bohemianism, with some details particularly striking.

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A chic interior fusion: minimalist basics, transitional flair and bold colour accents

One of the most exciting trends in modern interior design is the harmonious blending of different styles to create a unique, personalised space. This interior is a perfect example of how minimalist basics can be spiced up with transitional elements and bold colour accents, creating a space that is at once chic, modern and cosy.

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Contrasts of red and white: a bold reimagining of a minimalist kitchen

In modern interior design, there is an increasing emphasis on individuality and personalisation, even in functional spaces like the kitchen. This interior is a perfect example of how a minimalist kitchen can be taken to a whole new level with bold colour choices and innovative design elements.

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Retro time travel: hippie-bohemian and beat-bohemian transition in one apartmen

This interior perfectly transports us back to the 1960s and ’70s, mixing a hippy-bohemian feel with the beat-bohemian era. The retro posters of musicians and singers that adorn the wall instantly evoke the iconic figures of the era, giving the space a strong beat-bohemian feel. However, the darker colours that would be a defining element of the beat-bohemian trend are absent. Instead, a rich, colourful textile world dominates the scene, which leans more towards hippy-bohemian and folk-bohemian styles.

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